10 reasons to watch UFC 231, starting with two of the highest caliber title fights

3. Break on through

Alex Oliveira (19-5-1 MMA, 9-3 UFC) has been with the UFC since 2015. His opponent at UFC 231, Gunnar Nelson (16-3-1 MMA, 7-3 UFC), has been on the promotion’s roster even longer, signing in 2012. Both are now 30 years old, and both have seemingly been on the edge of breaking through since they began their runs with the organization, but it seems like whenever either of them builds up a decent head of steam they hit a bump in the road.

In 2014, Nelson had a four-fight UFC winning streak end with a split-decision loss to Rick Story. Injuries have limited him to five fights since that setback. His record over that stretch is 3-2. His most recent outing was a July 2017 knockout loss to rising 170-pound contender Santiago Ponzinibbio.

Oliveira was making his way up the rankings in 2016-17, but his unbeaten stretch of five fights came to an end when Yancy Medeiros knocked him out at UFC 218. Oliveira rebounded from that loss with two straight stoppage victories. His most recent win was a TKO over Carlo Pedersoli Jr. in September. Oliveira is currently an honorable mention in the 170-pound rankings.

This seems like the type of matchup that will allow the winner the opportunity to fight a ranked opponent in his next outing. Both fighters are undoubtedly aware of the stakes of this one.

4. Decision time

Thiago “Marreta” Santos looked good in his first foray into the light heavyweight division. Granted, that fight, which took place at UFC Fight Night 137 came against Eryk Anders, a middleweight who stepped up on short notice to fight at 205 pounds.

Santos, whose 24 previous bouts had taken place at 185 pounds, won that contest by TKO at the end of the third round. The victorious fighter then called for a matchup against the man Anders replaced on that card, Jimi Manuwa. Santos (19-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC) remains on the fence on whether his future will be at 185 or 205 pounds, but he seems anxious to find out how he will fare against a fighter, like Manuwa (17-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC), who has 15 career victories by way of knockout.

“I got tired, but it’s normal to get tired in a fight as intense as that,” Santos said after his win over Anders. “But I felt conscious of whatever was happening. I felt power in my punches, but I was a little bit slower. So I’ll sit down with my coaches, and we’ll see what will be done.”

“If I get punched by that guy, and I change my mind and go back to 185 …we’ll see,” Santos added.

A win over Manuwa, who is ranked No. 8 in the light heavyweight division, could help Santos decide his future. Manuwa has lost his two most recent bouts.